Pakistan’s federal government is on the cusp of introducing sweeping reforms to its military command structure, with plans to create a powerful new position—the Commander of Defense Forces (CDF)—at the heart of its proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. This bold move, which insiders say is inspired by the hard lessons of recent conflict with neighboring India, is aimed at forging a more unified and agile armed forces, better equipped to meet the demands of modern warfare.
According to sources cited by The News and other major outlets, the government’s proposed amendment would overhaul Article 243 of the Constitution. This article currently vests the supreme command of the armed forces in the President and gives the federal government operational control. But the new vision is more ambitious: it seeks to establish a single, integrated command structure for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the CDF poised to oversee the combined operations of all three branches. The aim? To ensure seamless coordination and rapid response in times of crisis—something that recent events have shown to be sorely needed.
The catalyst for these reforms was the four-day flare-up between Pakistan and India in May 2025. After a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting what it described as terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories. The operation unleashed four days of intense military clashes, ending only with a mutual understanding to halt hostilities on May 10. The aftermath was sobering for Pakistan’s military establishment: Indian Air Chief Marshal A P Singh claimed that at least a dozen Pakistani aircraft, including US-origin F-16 jets, were destroyed or damaged in the strikes.
In the wake of the conflict, Pakistan’s government moved quickly to recognize and reward military leadership. Army Chief General Asim Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, making him only the second officer in the country’s history to receive this distinction. This move, officials say, is emblematic of a broader push to modernize and professionalize the country’s defense apparatus.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on November 5, 2025, that the government is actively consulting with stakeholders on the proposed reforms. “Consultations on Article 243 are ongoing. Defense requirements have changed, and the process will be completed through mutual consultation,” he told Geo News. These discussions, he emphasized, are not just about military hardware or tactics—they’re about fundamentally reshaping the legal and institutional framework that governs the armed forces.
The proposed changes are far-reaching. In addition to the creation of the CDF, the amendment reportedly envisions renaming the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, establishing a new Strategic Forces Command, and conferring the honorary title of Field Marshal on the army chief following what Pakistan has described as its military success against India earlier this year. Each of these measures is designed to enhance the chain of command and clarify lines of authority at the highest levels of the armed forces.
But the reforms don’t stop at the barracks and parade grounds. The government is also eyeing major changes to the country’s judicial structure. As part of the same constitutional amendment, officials plan to establish a new Constitutional Court, initially composed of seven judges who would retire at age 68—three years later than current Supreme Court justices. Justice Aminuddin Khan is reportedly being considered as the first Chief Justice of this new body, which is intended to bolster the independence and efficiency of Pakistan’s judiciary.
Other elements of the 27th Amendment under discussion include reintroducing executive magistrates, allowing the transfer and rotation of judges between courts, amending the jurisdiction over education and population planning to return these matters to federal control, and revising the procedures for appointing members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Each of these proposals, officials say, reflects a desire to streamline governance and strengthen the federal government’s hand in key policy areas.
Of course, such sweeping changes have not gone unchallenged. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key player in the country’s coalition politics, has expressed reservations about several aspects of the amendment. After a lengthy Central Executive Committee meeting on November 6, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that the party would offer only conditional support for revising Article 243. “The party has authorized me to negotiate on the matter,” he told reporters, adding that while the PPP supports measures aimed at enhancing military coordination, it firmly rejects any changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award formula—a mechanism that determines the allocation of federal resources to the provinces.
“We are open to discussions on military command reforms and the establishment of new strategic offices,” Bilawal said, “but we cannot accept any amendments that undermine the financial autonomy of the provinces.” This stance underscores the delicate balancing act facing the government, which must secure the backing of its coalition partners before moving forward. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, for his part, has assured the public that the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill will not be tabled in Parliament until all necessary consultations are complete.
Meanwhile, the creation of the CDF and the broader package of reforms have sparked debate among defense analysts and political observers. Supporters argue that a unified command is essential in an era of hybrid warfare, where threats can emerge simultaneously across land, sea, and air—and even in cyberspace. They point to the lessons of the May conflict, when coordination challenges reportedly hampered Pakistan’s initial response. “The nature of modern warfare demands an integrated operational approach,” one senior official told The News. “We can’t afford to have our services operating in silos.”
Critics, however, warn that concentrating too much power in a single military office could upset the delicate civil-military balance that has long characterized Pakistani governance. They also question whether the proposed judicial and administrative reforms might erode the independence of the courts and the autonomy of the provinces. As one opposition lawmaker put it, “These are not just technical tweaks—they’re fundamental changes that will shape the country’s future for decades to come.”
For now, the fate of the 27th Constitutional Amendment hangs in the balance. With coalition partners still negotiating and public debate intensifying, all eyes are on Islamabad as the government weighs its next steps. What’s clear is that Pakistan stands at a crossroads, with the choices it makes in the coming weeks likely to reverberate far beyond the halls of Parliament or the barracks of Rawalpindi.
The coming months will reveal whether the government can forge consensus around its ambitious vision—or whether the forces of tradition and provincial autonomy will prove too strong to overcome.
